Kitimat’s Duck Creek Bridge will live on

After councillors met to discuss the issue at a committee of the whole meeting (Sentinel, Oct. 31, page 1) an arrangement has been worked out to see a new bridge installed.

According to the District of Kitimat, Rio Tinto Alcan took the lead to work with companies and organizations and have compiled a proposal.

That proposal sees Apache Canada, the company behind the proposed Kitimat LNG terminal and the Pacific Trails Pipeline, offering to pay for the new bridge at a cost of $40,000.

That leaves $60,000 left required to actually install the bridge and remove the old one.

Five businesses are reportedly being approached to share the financial burden but a list was not available. The District of Kitimat approved a motion at their Nov. 19 meeting to commit up to $12,000 to the project for the purpose of access to recreational areas.

Acting mayor Corinne Scott said at the meeting that if more businesses end up being included, the District’s share of the cost would go down.

Council was initially told a Nov. 1 deadline would be the time that decision would have to be made for the bridge but that date has continually shifted, but councillors were told on Nov. 19 that a decision on the bridge would have to be made that week to have the project proceed.

Councillor Phil Germuth said that he supports this motion and that while it is a bridge on private property, given that it services recreational facilities on Clague Mountain — namely the snowmobile and hiker club’s new cabin — he would support donating the money.

Rob Goffinet added that he sees it as a good sign that businesses have come together in generosity to see the bridge replaced.